SDLP Release:

SDLP Education Spokesperson, Daniel McCrossan MLA has urged Minister Weir to show some leadership, give students a break and cancel A Level and GCSE exams for 2021.

The West Tyrone MLA commented: “Today, the Welsh Government have announced they will cancel GSCE and A Level exams for 2021. Scotland have already made a similar decision. Yet here in Northern Ireland, Minister Weir has his head in the sand with his lack of contingency planning and leaving our young people to suffer.”

“The Executive Mental Health Champion and the NI Children’s Commissioner have already made their view clear. The current situation is untenable, adding huge levels of stress to our students. They have urged the Minister to act to provide the wellbeing of our students, by cancelling exams for 2021.”

“These are clearly unprecedented times and while there is a glimmer of hope with progress towards a vaccine, we do not know what COVID-19 will bring in the coming weeks and months. It is simply unjust and unjustifiable to continue with exams, given so many students have had to isolate and missed vital learning time.”

“The Welsh have shown us the way. Let’s follow their example. The Minister and CCEA talk often of ensuring our qualifications have portability and will be accepted by universities and employers elsewhere. If we stick to the Welsh formula we can achieve that without disadvantaging our children.”

“The Minister for Education must show some leadership, give our students a break and without further delay, cancel these exams for 2021.”